The Perfect Left Hook (diary entry)

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“Learn from the Fight” returned with two championship fights from 1957. Joe “Old Bones” Brown defended his lightweight crown against former champion, Wallace “Bud” Smith in their third meeting whilst Gene Fullmer put his middleweight title on the line against its previous three times owner, Sugar Ray Robinson. These were two totally different bouts but both had very decisive victories.

Joe Brown versus Bud Smith Undisputed World Lightweight Championship 13.02.1957

Bud Smith had originally outpointed the legendary Jimmy Carter in a highly controversial bout. Unpopular with the public, Smith was a known mob-backed fighter. Joe Brown had defeated him first in a non-title bout, earning the right to compete for the title, which he did so by outpointing him. There was no dispute about the matter, Brown was the better fighter. However, he was forced to face Smith a third time in a rematch.

Despite Smith being the heavier and stockier fighter, Brown knew he could not rely on his natural out-boxing for fear of a crooked decision. We watched him beat Smith to the punch nearly every time. He circled and struck repeatedly. The challenger got in the occasional heavy blow, including a decent liver shot in the earlier rounds but this was all Brown’s fight. He peppered Smith with jabs and hooks to the head. By round three Brown almost stood toe-to-toe with his stronger opponent, demonstrating his excellent slipping and rolling.

Rounds four to eight saw Smith come more alive as he tried to use more footwork but ultimately looked ponderous. Meanwhile his opponent was landing far more power shots, favouring big overhand rights and even what looked like a Superman punch. He caught Smith in the mouth and worked it with regularity. By round 10, Smith was miles behind and taking damage. His corner refused to let him leave his stool for round 11. Joe Brown had solidified his place. However, he wouldn’t have to wait long to defend it. After winning a split decision over Armand Savoie, he made his second successful defence of the title against Orlando Zulueta in June with a 15th round TKO. He’d then have three more non-title fights before having to defend it again, this time against Joey Lopez, in December where we will see the highlights in a future lesson.

1280x720_20200410145909Gene Fullmer versus Sugar Ray Robinson World Middleweight Championship 01.05.1957

As with the previous bout, neither fighter hung around for the rematch. They were both straight back in after their January clash to box at the Chicago Stadium.

Robinson was the 3-1 underdog this time. He was 10 years Fullmer’s senior and the pattern seemed evident to many fight fans. Robinson’s almost three year retirement from boxing had affected his performance. His defeat at the hands of journeyman Tiger Jones, an individual who wouldn’t even be given a shot at a world title, had made his road back seem shaky. He had put two great performances against Olson and had supposedly proved everyone wrong by knocking him out twice, but Fullmer was the new hungry kid on the block. Robinson had under-rated him as he had done the first time he’d lost the title to Randy Turpin back in ’51. The constant aggression had been too much and Sugar Ray had been unable to get into his stride, losing a unanimous decision.

However, Robinson much like his hero and close friend, Joe Louis, was known for the strength he brought in rematches. He learned from his mistakes well. This time he kept the clinches down to a minimum and worked out the timing of Fullmer’s charges. Most significantly, he had picked up on a certain counter-punching behaviour the champion displayed. When Robinson threw his famous right hook to the body, Fullmer came back with his own. In round five the challenger confirmed this fact and then, just when Fullmer was comfortable coming forward, feinted with the right body hook. Fullmer dropped his right to counter and Robinson caught him with what has become known as “The Perfect Left Hook”. It sent the valiant and courageous Fullmer to the canvas. Try as he might, the swarmer’s feet would not hold him up and Sugar Ray Robinson became a four-time world champion.

Meanwhile, Carmen Basilio, like Robinson, had cleared out the welterweight division and was setting his eyes on the middleweight prize…

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